• Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized the memorandum, arguing that Ukraine gave up its nuclear deterrent and was left vulnerable.
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• The U.S. and U.K. condemned Russia’s actions, but no military intervention was provided to Ukraine.
• In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, again violating the agreement.
/4

• These countries also promised not to use force or economic pressure against Ukraine.

In 2014, Russia invaded and annexed Crimea, violating the Budapest Memorandum.
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• Ukraine agreed to give up its nuclear weapons and join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a non-nuclear state.
•In return, Russia, the U.S., and the U.K. pledged to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and borders.
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when we agonize about our diminished cosmic place and purpose, or when fanaticism is bubbling up around us - then, habits of thought familiar from ages past reach for the controls.
The candle flame gutters. Its little pool of light trembles. Darkness gathers. The demons begin to stir."